Woodland father of dead baby in Yolo court on unrelated charges

Frank Rees, father of the baby found dead in a slough near Knights Landing in February, returned Monday to Yolo Superior Court to face charges in a March drug arrest at his Woodland home.

Rees, 29, pleaded not guilty Monday to possessing methamphetamine, ammunition as a felon and drug paraphernalia, stemming from a search of his home last month by Yolo County sheriff’s deputies. Authorities were searching the home as part of their investigation into the death of his son, Justice Rees.

Rees, free on $45,000 bail, will appear May 11 for a preliminary examination in Yolo Superior Court.

Samantha Lee Green, the baby’s mother, is accused of murder in connection with Justice’s death and is being held without bail. Her next Yolo Superior Court appearance is scheduled for April 13.

Justice’s body was found by searchers near Rough Cut Slough on Feb. 25, 20 days after his birth. Green frantically called sheriff’s dispatchers a day earlier from a Knights Landing backyard to report her baby was missing.

Justice Rees was born with methamphetamine in his system, prompting a Child Protective Services review, according to a statement by Justice’s paternal grandmother, Patricia Rees, days after the baby’s death.

Frank Rees spoke briefly with reporters about Justice’s death after Monday’s hearing. He said he’s “giving it up to God and trusting the Sheriff’s Department to do their job,” and said he is focused on “giving justice to Justice.”

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 2:01 PM with the headline "Woodland father of dead baby in Yolo court on unrelated charges."